Boris promises jobs and economic growth in second term

City Hall will focus efforts to deliver jobs and growth to London's economy. Photo: MayorWatchNewly re-elected Mayor of London Boris Johnson has promised to create new jobs and deliver economic growth in his second term.

The drive for growth will be headed by London Assembly member Kit Malthouse who leaves the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime to become Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise.

Malthouse is Chairman of County Finance Group which he co-founded 17 years ago and which he remains majority shareholder of.

Johnson has also named Richard Blakeway as Deputy Mayor for Housing, Land and Property. Blakeway will head the new Homes for London which replaces the London Housing Board.

City Hall says Munira Mirza will serve as Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture and “focus on a range of projects to boost young people’s education and attainment, including plans for a supplementary schools programme and the Mayor’s Education Inquiry Panel.”

Sir Edward Lister will continue to serve as Deputy Mayor for Planning, a role which will see him take responsibility for delivering the Mayor’s promised cut in City Hall’s share of the council tax.

Despite the announcement of several ‘deputy mayors’ only the Deputy Mayor of London and Deputy Mayor for Policing are currently legally recognised positions, all other appointments carry an honourific job title.

Announcing his appointments Mayor Johnson said: “It has never been more vital to do everything we can to boost growth and get people into work. That is why I’m putting jobs and growth at the heart of my mayoralty – focusing our efforts on driving London’s economy forwards, out of the recession, investing in our infrastructure and securing Londoners’ futures.

“Kit Malthouse has an outstanding business pedigree, knows how to get results and has proved he can do so in the toughest economic conditions with policing in London. He will drive forward my plans to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs in the capital over the next four years, help create 250,000 new apprenticeships and ensure our capital’s small businesses, the engine room of our economy, are given the support they need to succeed as we invest £221million in our local high streets.

“And I have no doubt that, with Ric Blakeway overseeing the building of homes across the capital and Munira Mirza focusing on improving education for our young people, we have a committed, determined and talented team in place to secure a bright future for Londoners.”

Commenting on his appointment Mr Malthouse said: “With my experience as a small business owner, including through difficult economic times, I understand the pressures and frustrations involved in trying to create jobs and I am looking forward to bringing my first-hand knowledge to bear.

“In his first term, the Mayor brought the city through the credit crunch and created thousands of new apprenticeships. I want to continue and expand that work, fighting for investment from home and abroad, creating a city where small business in particular can thrive and where crucially, young people can find jobs.”

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